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Sequenom and Illumina develop Down syndrome test
SQNM ILMN
Sequenom can't be very happy about this. In addition to earlier delays, it seems like an endorsement of Illumina's technology.

Sequenom Announces Multi-Year Supply Agreement With Illumina
Sequencing Equipment and Consumables to Support Sequenom's Proprietary Noninvasive Prenatal Trisomy 21 Test

Press Release Source: Sequenom, Inc. On Monday July 11, 2011, 7:00 am EDT
SAN DIEGO, July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sequenom, Inc. (NASDAQ:SQNM - News), a life sciences company providing innovative genetic analysis solutions, today announced it has signed a three-year supply agreement with Illumina, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of life sciences tools for the large-scale analysis of genetic variation and function.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sequenom and its subsidiaries will purchase Illumina's sequencing equipment and consumables for use in the development of a noninvasive test designed to detect an overabundance of chromosome 21 in pregnant women, a result associated with fetal Down syndrome.

Sequenom and Illumina will work collaboratively toward the submission for regulatory approval of an in vitro diagnostic product for the detection of fetal chromosomal abnormalities.

"We are pleased to announce this new partnership with Illumina, a leader in genetic sequencing systems, as we advance our role in developing and commercializing prenatal diagnostics," said Harry F. Hixson, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Sequenom, Inc. "This agreement is an important step in bringing our proprietary trisomy test to market, giving us the scalability, speed to market and supply chain necessary to address the commercial opportunity of our noninvasive prenatal test for trisomy 21."

"We are very pleased to complete this supply agreement with Sequenom for Illumina's HiSeq 2000 platform," said Jay Flatley, President and CEO of Illumina. "With the most powerful and cost-effective sequencing technology available, we are fully ready to meet Sequenom's needs as it prepares for the commercial launch of its test."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Sequenom-Announces-MultiYear-prnews-1516830542.html

Sequenom and Illumina develop Down syndrome test

Sequenom and Illumina announce collaboration to develop Down syndrome test for pregnant women On Monday July 11, 2011, 12:52 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Genetic test maker Sequenom Inc. said Monday it will collaborate with Illumina on a new test that detects fetal abnormalities that can lead to Down syndrome.

Under the agreement Sequenom will use Illumina's genetic sequencing equipment and other technology to develop a test for pregnant women that can detect high levels of chromosome 21, which is associated with Down syndrome. Financial details of the arrangement were not disclosed.

Sequenom, based in San Diego, develops testing instruments used for screening DNA.

Shares of Sequenom Inc. fell 9 cents to $7.73. Illumina Inc. shares fell $1.36 to $74.76.

SQNM ILMN
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Sequenom-and-Illumina-develop-apf-2833062550.html